This side event brings together stakeholders from three typical PV market areas, Germany, China, and MENA, with politicians, analysts and business representatives to analyze the reasons for this boom and bust and explore ways to create framework conditions for a more sustainable development.

Round Table of Policy makers with experts above: How to avoid the boom and bust cycles. (45 minutes)

Representative of National Energy Administration of Peoples Republic of China (DG level or higher)

Representative of German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (DG level or higher);

Representative of Ministry of Energy of MENA Region (DG level or higher from Dubai, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia)

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

By facilitating an international exchange about the recent developments of the solar sector and its crisis, this side event explores ways to develop the solar PV sector in the new solar markets, especially in the MENA region, more sustainably. It should be a forum for discussion and learning in order to develop more efficient and targeted policies for promoting Solar PV deployment.

Past experiences have shown that existing vehicles for technology development, deployment and transfer are not adequate to achieve the broad diffusion of clean energy technologies. They are lacking a holistic approach and a case by case analysis for each country and technology: Besides the analysis of the country’s theoretical resources a comprehensive assessment of the country’s framework conditions considering the energy sector as much as the environmental and socio-economic situation is required. Furthermore, moving a technology from the research to the commercial phase requires not only financial resources, but also an enabling environment that has to be promoted through adequate policy frameworks, financial support schemes, capacity building activities and the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders; the engagement of the public sector is as important as the private sector. In addition, these frameworks have to be adjusted precisely to the particular stage of the development path the technology is undergoing in a country.

The overall purpose is to describe the main components that renewable energy policy makers should address in a holistic and programmatic way to assure a sustainable massive deployment of renewable.

Identification of all organizing partners:

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Spanish Institute for Diversification of Energy and Energy Saving (IDAE)

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

A major driver for the uptake of renewable energy is the existence of an enabling policy framework and relevant capacities on institutional as well as individual level to attract private investments. The side event will offer best practices on policy making from public and private actors on up-scaling renewable energy.

The great achievements in deployment and cost reductions of renewable energy in the past are not a guarantee for success in the future. Governments should, and can take fast action to ensure the prolongation of this success story. Now. Misperceptions, unlevel playing fields, macro-economic uncertainties, and opposition by incumbents pose a serious threat, whereas delay of action has the risk of societies getting locked-in into unsustainable energy pathways with higher long-term costs.

The IEA Implementing Agreement for Renewable Energy Technology Deployment (RETD) will launch its publication 'Renewable Energy Action on Deployment, READy' at this side event. The READy book presents a kaleidoscope of policy options that have proven to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies, based on experiences around the world at the local and national levels.

The thematic focus is on short-term policy actions for a large-scale deployment of renewable energy. Key actions for key sectors will be highlighted in an inspiring way.

The ambition is to offer the book to one or two key representatives of (international) institutes or governments. With the time slots not known yet, this may be challenging.

The session will be chaired by Hans Jorgen Koch, (chair of RETD, DK), and moderated by Manon Janssen (CEO, Ecofys).

Policy and decision makers will be invited for the panel discussion.

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

The IREC range of events has a clear focus on 'action' (e.g. through the Renewables International Action Programme). This side event supports this focus by showing that action can be taken, even in economically uncertain times. It is very much in line with the second ministerial panel in the ADIREC programme 'Renewable energy policy evolution in economically challenging times'.

Today data and information relating to renewable energy is produced and used by various stakeholder groups around the world for different purposes. Since multiple data sources exist and a number of actors have engaged in data collection, there are often significant problems relating to data sources quality, consistency and comparability. Often, for developing countries, basic data is lacking at a national level, even though information from numerous existing projects and initiatives could be consolidated to present a more comprehensive picture of renewable energy within the country. This creates a challenging situation for policy makers, industry actors, investors and other stakeholders as they try to make informed decisions.

The IRENA Secretariat is working together with REN21 to develop a Renewable Energy Data Collection Framework (REDAF). The objective of the initiative is to enable the tracking of renewable energy trends and efforts globally and to systematise this process within IRENA under a single framework so that it can effectively disseminate the renewable energy information among member states and stakeholder groups. This event will present the REDAF initiative, showcase the activities undertaken in the selected pilot countries and provide a platform to engage countries in other regions to participate in the REDAF process.

Identification of all organizing partners:

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA),

Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21)

Thematic focus, speakers and presenters:

The workshop will bring together IRENA, REN21, participating Ministries, investors and industry actors as well as other national and regional stakeholders to present the REDAF initiative, the situation related to renewable energy data collection in the different participating countries. The workshop will aim to sensitise stakeholders on the topic of reliable renewable energy data, highlight priority data sets that facilitate investments, showcase activities undertaken in selected pilot countries, provide a platform for country level engagement in the REDAF process and identify capacity building needs on a national/regional level to collect data.

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

Country engagement in the Renewable Energy Data Collection Framework initiative (REDAF) will enhance the ability of countries to continuously monitor and evaluate the progress of their renewable energy activities, thereby strengthening their capacity to attract investment and secure financing for renewable energy projects and accelerate renewable energy deployment.

"Energiewende globally?" - what needs to be done for a future renewable energy system?

The world currently looks at the German "Energiewende" aiming at transforming the German Energy System towards a system being largely based on renewable energy sources by 2050.

The side event aims at gathering representatives from front running countries that are in a similar way addressing the transformation of their energy systems.

Ministers as well as representatives from the private sector and the science community will discuss the strategic approach and the bundle of measures needed to implement the energy system transformation, showcasing best practice with regard to policy instruments as well as private sector approaches. The event will furthermore focus on how to create momentum for joint actions at the international level to undergird national actions.

Identification of all organizing partners:

German Government

Thematic focus, speakers and presenters:

Core elements and the international dimension of energy system transformations (Energiewende), including:

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

The German example and its replicability may provide best practice and policy insights with regard to the ADIREC's overall goal in supporting the global scale-up of renewable energy, by showcasing a concrete effort for massive scale-up in an industrialized G8 economy.

The Gulf is rich in hydrocarbons and accounts for almost 40% of the world’s net exports of oil. It is a common misconception that because of these vast oil and gas reserves the GCC has a secure energy supply. Total energy consumption in the GCC, driven by economic growth and rising populations, has grown by almost 75% since 2000, and is projected to more than double by 2020. This is placing huge pressure on oil and gas reserves and export revenues.

The GCC has some of the world’s greatest potential for solar power and several countries have announced commitments to renewable energy, specifically solar energy technologies. Most GCC countries have set percentage targets for renewable energy in their energy mix to be supplied by renewable energy. Research institutes, such as Masdar Institute in UAE, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KARE) in Saudi Arabia, and the Qatar Energy and Environment Research Institute, have been established and are undertaking initiatives. In addition, at the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar submitted a joint concept note, outlining their intention to pursue mitigation and adaptation actions under the banner of economic diversification. This shows that climate change and renewable energy are becoming substantive priorities in the region.

This panel is being convened by the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to provide information on the GCC’s renewable energy plans, policies and projects, and to facilitate discussion on promoting the deployment of renewable energy in the region. Members from the research, development, and policy making communities will present the drivers and barriers that are affecting deployment across the GCC. The presentations will be followed by an open discussion amongst the speakers and the audience about accelerating regional uptake including on projects and opportunities for collaboration.

Objectives:

Discuss drivers for deploying renewable energy

Determine the role of renewable energy in the context of the GCC

Discuss the current policies and projects in the GCC

Identify barriers and solutions to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy

People that live in remote areas traditionally rely on biomass and diesel based energy systems. For remote communities, be they in developed or developing countries, there is a need to decrease the fossil fuel dependency and diversify the energy mix in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the challenges of diesel supply and price volatility. Fortunately, site-specific renewable energy off-grid solutions exist for deployment now.

This side event will showcase the great leaps forward that have been made by the Australian clean energy industry in smart, off and micro-grid energy. Via a series of domestic and international case studies, including Hydro Tasmania’s innovative King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project, the session will highlight innovation in technology development and system integration to address issues of system design, site-specific generation, supply and demand variability, and storage.

These remote area power systems are being trialled and delivered for island communities, remote desert communities, and industrial applications in the Australian market. The knowledge and skills of Australian companies is also helping to provide energy access to energy-poor communities in isolated and island communities in the developing economies of the Asia-Pacific region.

Identification of all organizing partners:

HOST

Clean Energy Council (CEC) The Clean Energy Council is the peak body representing Australia’s clean energy sector. It is an industry association made up of more than 600 member companies operating in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

SUPPORTERS

Hydro Tasmania Hydro Tasmania is Australia’s largest producer of renewable energy, generating hydropower and wind power in Tasmania and trading electricity and energy-related environmental products in the Australian market. Hydro Tasmania also owns and operates an advanced hybrid power system on King Island that uses wind, solar, diesel and innovative energy enabling technologies to maximise renewable energy use.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) REEEP is a market catalyst for renewable energy and energy efficiency in developing countries and emerging markets. REEEPs Southeast Asia and Pacific Regional Secretariat collaborates with government, private industry and NGOs to promote access to reliable clean energy services for developing countries and countries in transition in the region.

The event is also supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.

Thematic focus, speakers and presenters:

The event will highlight the significant innovation being demonstrated by Australian companies in smart, off and micro-grid systems; developments that meet industrial and domestic energy supply needs. By showcasing a series of leading examples of smart, off and micro-grid projects, delegates will boost their understanding of supply and demand-side challenges as well as the range of innovative solutions being delivered in Australia and further afield.

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

The side event will highlight industry leaders that are advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies and systems in the Asia Pacific region. The event aims to facilitate open dialogue between industry and other stakeholders on the role that smart, off and micro grids can play in the further uptake of renewable energy.

International collegiate competitions with a focus on renewable energy date back to the early 1980’s. They were started by pioneers with a vision to advance the relevant technologies and educate the general public and the future workforce while challenging the best minds in the world. Hans Tholstrup, who in 1983 drove the first solar powered vehicle across Australia, was the first to offer such a challenge. He established the World Solar Challenge in Australia in 1987 and invited universities, corporations, and non-profit organizations from across the globe to compete. Today, many prestigious and well funded competitions are held in several countries involving thousands of students studying engineering, architecture, business administration, economics, and public policy, among others. Examples include the Solar Decathlon originated by the US Department of Energy and now adopted by the Spanish Ministry of Public Works, French Ministry of Housing, and the Chinese National Energy Administration, as well as a number of solar/transportation competitions. Other events are also held for children of all ages to generate enthusiasm for science and engineering at a crucial stage in their educational development, improve their understanding of scientific concepts and renewable energy technologies, and encourage them to consider careers in renewable energy at an early age.

The thematic focus is the presentation of renewable energy international collegiate competitions covering their history, evolution and expansion, as well as their contribution to education and advancements in renewable energy technology. The following are proposed presenters:

Aside from transmission and storage infrastructure build out, financing of renewable energy has been a global hurdle. As many countries start to emerge from the global recession, financing mechanisms on the regional, state/provincial and federal levels have provided case studies on how to sustainably fund projects.

As a result, the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), in collaboration with REN21, Masdar and a number of supporting organizations, is hosting the Official Side Event on Renewable Energy Finance at ADIREC 2013, convening key global financiers and developers together to discuss several projects underway and the financing structures in place to ensure sustainable expansion of energy assets across the MENA region. The event will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center's Capital Suite 10 from 12:00PM-1:30PM on January 15th, 2013. The roundtable discussion will review MENA projects underway, the financing structures in place to ensure sustainable growth across the region, and partnership and project development opportunities that could be replicated globally.

Presenting companies include: Citigroup, Masdar, Schneider Electric, and many others. The event is limited to 150 guests and is first come first serve. To participate, register via the below link for ADIREC (at a minimum need a Day Pass). There is no fee for non-profit and government organizations.

Identification of all organizing partners:

ACORE, APRICUM, Clean Energy Business Council of UAE, ESIA, Masdar, SASIA, SEIA, US-UAE Business Council

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

Aside from transmission and storage, financing of renewable energy has been a global hurdle. As many countries start to emerge from the global recession, financing mechanisms on the regional, federal, and state/provincial have provided case studies on how to sustainable fund projects, and a dedicated panel on this would assist in comparing/contrasting strategies to grow out these financing trends in the Middle East/MENA region.

Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Email:

Type of Organization:

Governmental

Address:

11055 Berlin, Germany

ADIREC Side event organised by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany in cooperation with the World Bank

Detailed description of the requested event(max. 200 words):

The various policy and technology options for meeting future energy demand have different implications with regard to water resources. Trade offs between water use for energy and other water uses, not the least food production, are likely to increase depending inter alia on the choices made in energy policies and planning.

A better understanding of the cross sectoral implications - involving land use, food production, urbanization, demographics, and environmental protection - and of the relevance of these cross sectoral inter linkages and interdependencies for designing future energy systems is therefore becoming more and more important. Integrating the water-energy nexus is key to a successful “Energiewende”.

The high-level side event will address the need and approaches for integrated energy and water planning in the context of the water, energy and food security nexus to achieve sustainable economic growth.

It is intended to organise the session jointly with the World Bank, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Potential further partners include the Water and Energy Initiative of the United States Energy Labs, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the Stockholm Environmental Institute.

Thematic focus, speakers and presenters:

The main objective of the session is to support integrated energy and water planning to achieve sustainable economic growth by addressing knowledge gaps and present evidence highlighting its relevance as well as approaches for developing tools which can support a more integrated planning and decision making concerning water and energy.

The session would comprise two to three presentations and a moderated discussion. The expected timeslot for the session would be one hour.

CDP is interested in doing an event to highlight the results of CDP’s carbon reporting system for the 2012 year, in particular making use of the findings of our flagship Global 500 report (see: https://www.cdproject.net/en-US/Pages/global500.aspx) but also worldwide – we are still waiting for the final figures, but I think over 4000 corporations reported to CDP in 2012.

Identification of all organizing partners:

-

Thematic focus, speakers and presenters:

At this stage I envisage that the agenda would include a high level keynote speaker, a member of CDP’s top management presenting our global 2012 results, a company representative sharing their experience of responding to CDP and explaining how proactive carbon reporting and management has helped their company, and possibly a panel discussion or a speaker from the investment community, depending on timings & availability.

Event’s potential contribution to the goals and objectives of the ADIREC 2013 (max 50. Words):

The event would be aimed primarily at a corporate audience, and would emphasise how measuring & reporting carbon emissions & energy use can help corporations drive investments in emissions reduction activities. We’d like to have this event at the WFES as a follow up to winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize last year, but also to encourage local UAE organisations to participate in our reporting programmes. We held workshops in Abu Dhabi (with the kind assistance of Masdar) & Dubai in June this year to introduce CDP to local organisations, and it seems to us that an event in conjunction with the WFES would be the perfect opportunity to follow up on this by speaking about the results and get people excited about the possibility of participating in 2013.